How can you guarantee that your speed measuring device is precise?

Speed and distance calibration and verification

The ability to accurately measure speed is essential for any vehicle. Car drivers need to know how fast they are going so that they can keep within limits, and the increasing number of detection systems used to enforce speed limits has meant that speedometers need to be calibrated very accurately.

Similarly, regulations that determine whether a vehicle is suitable to go on sale demand that certain tests are carried out consistently. A drive-by noise test, for example, must be conducted within a verifiable speed range to be valid.

Why does speed measurement need to be so accurate?

When prosecuting speeding offences, evidence must be presented that cannot be challenged: the accuracy of the device used to capture speed at the time of the offence has to be accurate.

The nature of speed detection is changing, along with some of its philosophy. Whilst safety remains the main reason for installing enforcement cameras along a stretch of road, other environmental factors such as emissions and noise are now making an impact. Areas where such parameters need to be controlled over a long distance have given rise to average speed detection units, ensuring that the lower traffic speed results in less noise and pollution. The distance measurements used to calibrate average speed cameras must therefore be extremely accurate. The use of GPS allows this to be possible (See this page for why GPS is essential in measuring speed).

Using VBOX data loggers for speed evidence

Whilst speed limits are an effective way of keeping incidences down, the freedom that comes with privately owned transport makes accidents unavoidable. When determining how a collision has occurred VBOX products are an increasingly valuable tool for accident investigators.

Speed verification in accident reconstruction is vital. Presenting evidence to a jury has traditionally been tough: lack of faith in an investigator’s calculations can introduce doubt. But the advent of products such as Video VBOX, which can clearly demonstrate crucial factors in determining how an accident occurred, means that this doubt is removed. Police Forces are now using this on a regular basis and it makes their task much easier.

More information

Contact Racelogic or one of our distributors now to discuss your speed and distance verification requirements and we will be able to determine which equipment best suits your needs. We have plenty of experience in dealing with a wide variety of applications in testing and development.